Kolbe & Fanning
Auction 162 22 Jan 2022
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Deluxe Edition of Adams on California Gold
Adams, Edgar H. PRIVATE GOLD COINAGE OF CALIFORNIA, 1849–55, ITS HISTORY AND ITS ISSUES. Brooklyn, 1913. 4to, original dark blue half morocco, gilt; blue cloth sides; spine with five raised bands, decorated in gilt; second and fourth spine panels lettered in gilt; remaining four compartments featuring an ornate gilt floral spray; patterned endpapers. Blank leaf, xxviii, 12, (2), (13)-56, (2), (57)-96, (2), (97)-110 pages, blank leaf, 4 halftone portrait plates, 7 halftone plates of coins. Signed by John Robinson, and dated June 25, 1913. Binding rubbed; very good or better. The Essex Institute's copy of the rare Special Leatherbound Edition. The best edition of the first comprehensive work on the numismatic history of the California Gold Rush. Edgar Adams (1868–1940) dominated American numismatic research in the first quarter of the twentieth century. His other landmark works on patterns and storecards and his famous series of illustrated notebooks on various series, many of which reside in the library of the American Numismatic Society, eloquently attest to his virtuosity. In his obituary, Farran Zerbe noted: "In the passing of Edgar H. Adams ... numismatics loses a grand character, one who starred in its literature for many years." Only a small number of special leatherbound copies of Private Gold Coinage of California appear to have been made from "the first complete edition of one hundred copies," the great majority of which were apparently bound in crimson cloth. Several versions of the book were published, with introductions of 16, 20 or 24 pages. Most of the few existing copies of the leatherbound edition are well-worn, and this example is better than many. Clain-Stefanelli 12465. Ex Essex Institute, with the Robinson Collection of Books on Oriental Coinage bookplate.
Adams, Edgar H. PRIVATE GOLD COINAGE OF CALIFORNIA, 1849–55, ITS HISTORY AND ITS ISSUES. Brooklyn, 1913. 4to, original dark blue half morocco, gilt; blue cloth sides; spine with five raised bands, decorated in gilt; second and fourth spine panels lettered in gilt; remaining four compartments featuring an ornate gilt floral spray; patterned endpapers. Blank leaf, xxviii, 12, (2), (13)-56, (2), (57)-96, (2), (97)-110 pages, blank leaf, 4 halftone portrait plates, 7 halftone plates of coins. Signed by John Robinson, and dated June 25, 1913. Binding rubbed; very good or better. The Essex Institute's copy of the rare Special Leatherbound Edition. The best edition of the first comprehensive work on the numismatic history of the California Gold Rush. Edgar Adams (1868–1940) dominated American numismatic research in the first quarter of the twentieth century. His other landmark works on patterns and storecards and his famous series of illustrated notebooks on various series, many of which reside in the library of the American Numismatic Society, eloquently attest to his virtuosity. In his obituary, Farran Zerbe noted: "In the passing of Edgar H. Adams ... numismatics loses a grand character, one who starred in its literature for many years." Only a small number of special leatherbound copies of Private Gold Coinage of California appear to have been made from "the first complete edition of one hundred copies," the great majority of which were apparently bound in crimson cloth. Several versions of the book were published, with introductions of 16, 20 or 24 pages. Most of the few existing copies of the leatherbound edition are well-worn, and this example is better than many. Clain-Stefanelli 12465. Ex Essex Institute, with the Robinson Collection of Books on Oriental Coinage bookplate.